Means for mounting components of a refuse compactor in coordinated relationship

ABSTRACT

A refuse compactor having improved means for mounting elements thereof in coordinated relationship. The compactor includes a frame structure and coordinated means for mounting a ram movably on the frame, a receptacle movably on the frame, and a sanitizing spray means on the frame to be actuated as an incident of movement of the receptacle to and from a compacting position within the frame.

United States Patent 1 Miller et a1.

[ Apr. 2, 1974 MEANS FOR MOUNTING COMPONENTS OF A REFUSE COMPAC'IOR IN COORDINATED RELATIONSHIP Inventors: Frank E. Miller; Charles E. Sulcek,

1 both of Danville, Ky.

Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

Filed: Sept. 8, 1971 Appl. .No. 178,605

Int. Cl B30b 15/14 US. Cl 100/45, 100/53, 100/229 A 3,636,862 1/1972 Bottas ct al 100/229 X Primary ExaminerBi1ly J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hofgren, Wegner, Allcn,

Field of Search..... 100/45, 229 A, 229 R, 53;

9 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,556,619 1/1971 Bottas et al too 229 x Stellman & McCord 57 ABSTRACT A refuse compactor having improved means formounting elements thereof in coordinated relationship, The compactor includes a frame structure and 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 2 I974 SHEEI 2 BF 3 MEANS FOR MOUNTING COMPONENTS OF A REFUSE COMPACTOR IN COORDINATED RELATIONSHIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to refuse compactors and in particular to refuse compactors having movable receptacle means and means for spraying sanitizing fluid into refuse in the receptacle means as a function of the movement of the receptacle means.

2. Description of the Prior Art In one improved form of refuse compactor as shown in Bottas et al U. S. Letters Patent No. 3,556,619 for a Refuse Storage Apparatus, and owned by the assignee hereof, an aerosol spray device is shown mounted on the front wall of the cabinetand having depending actuation means adapted to be actuated as a result of a closing movement of the drawer to spray suitable material, such as disinfectant and deodorizing material, into the refuse placed in the drawer. The spray device sprays the refuse prior to the compacting operation while still in an expanded condition for improved sanitizing action. A problem arises in the manufacture of such refuse compactors in that a number of different I elements of the compactor must be positivelycoordinated for proper coordinated action in the operation of the compactor. Thus,- the spray device must be properly located so as to be actuated by means associated with the drawerwhich, in turn, is mounted on the base of the cabinet to be accurately positioned relative to the ram which descends thereinto during the compacting operation. The cabinet is mounted on a frame structure and, thus, tolerances in'the manufacture of the cabinet and the mounting thereof on the frame structure cause variations in the relative positioning of the spray means, the drawer, and the ram.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends the provision in a refuse compactor having a frame and means for spraying sanitizing fluid into refuse to be compacted therein, means formounting the spray means on the frame including a mounting plate, means for mounting the plate on the frame, means for mounting-an aerosol can of sanitizing fluid on the plate including a receptacle for receiving one end of the can and means for biasing the receptacle into maintained recpetion in the receptacle, and actuating means carried by the plate and including means for actuating the aerosol spray mechanism ofan aerosol can carried by the mounting means.

More specifically, the invention comprehends providing in a refuse compactor having a rigid frame, ram means, a receptacle which refusemay be compacted by the ram means, means for spraying sanitizing fluid into the receptacle is accessible for deposit of refuse to be compacted therein, and third mounting means on the frame for positioning the spraying means in a preselected position adjacent the path of movement of the receptacle between the compacting and loading positions, and cooperating means on the receptacle and spraying means disposed to have engagement when the receptacle is at a preselected intermediate position in the movement thereof between the compacting and loading positions to effect 'a spraying operation.

Thus, the present invention provides for improved accuracy in the coodinated relationship of the compactor elements while yet comprising a low cost, simple construction. Replacement of the sanitizing spray can may be readily effected while yet the mounting means accurately locates the can in the compactor in relationship to the other elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a front perspective view of a refuse compactor frame structure having means for mounting the ram, the trash compacting receptacle, and the sanitizing spray means to the frame embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof with the cabinet enclosure disposed thereabout FIG..3 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the relationship of the ram, the refuse holding drawer and the sanitizing spray means;

FIG. ,4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section illustrating the arrangement of the spray means-on the frame and in coordinated relationship with the actuating means including cam means carried by the drawer;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a refuse compactor generally designated 10 is shown to include arigid frame 11 received in an outer cabinet 12. The frame includes a base portion 13 which carries a roller guide structure 14 mounting a refuse holding. drawer 15 for reciprocal movement between an inner, compacting position within the frame 11' and cabinet 12, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3, and an outer, refuse loading position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, wherein refuse may be placed within the receptacle for subsequent compaction by a ram 16 carried on frame 11 withincabinet 12 The frame structure includes four upright corner portions 17 comprising vertical guides for ram 16 which is reciprocatively driven by suitable rotation by a pair of I drive screws 18. The frame includes a front wall 19 on which is mounted a mounting plate 20 carrying a spray device generally designated 21 for spraying sanitizing fluid into the refuse deposited in drawer 15. The cabinet includes a front wall 22, as shown in FIG. 2, having a front opening 23 aligned with the spray device 21 permitting installation and removal in spray device 21 of a conventional aerosol can 24 containing sanitizing fluid. The invention comprehends the coordinated positioning of the spray device 21 relative to the drawer and the ram 16, each of which elements is effectively mounted to frame 11.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the mounting plate includes a lower turned shelf 25 which carries a cup-shaped receptacle 26 adapted to receive the lower end 27 of spray can 24 with the actuating nozzle portion 28 of the spray can projecting downwardly therethrough to be engaged by an actuator 39 as the result of the movement of drawer 15 between the compacting and loading positions. Actuator 29 is mounted on one end of a swing rod30 having a horizontal portion 31 joumalled in the legs 32 of a U- shaped mounting bracket 33 carried on the underside of shelf 25. The swing rod further includes a turned end portion 34 carrying at its lower end a roller cam follower 35 adapted to engage a cam 36 mounted on the side of drawer 15 when the drawer is an intermediate position between the retracted compacting position and the exposed loading position. Spray mechanism 28 may be of a type adapted to provide a single shot of spray fluid from the aerosol can during each depression thereof. Thus, the cam 36 would serve to effect a spray into the drawer from aerosol can 24 during each refuse 7 loading operation, i.e., as the drawer is moved inwardly to the compacting position.

Spray can 24 .is biased downwardly to be accurately seated in receptacle 26 by a leaf spring 37 having one leg 38 secured to an upper forwardly projecting shelf 39 on mounting plate 20 by suitable screws 40. Thus, should for any reason the spray can be jammed upwardly by malfunctioning of the actuator mechanism, the spring 37 will yield preventing damage to the frame andfcabinet structure and the actuator. The receptacle 26 is preferably formed of a resilient material, such as a synthetic plastic, and herein illustratively is formed of polypropylene plastic. The upper portion 41 of the receptacle 26 may be inturned to provide a gripping action on the lower end 27 of the can. Shelf 25 and receptacle 26 may be provided with aligned openings 42 to permit the passage of nozzle mechanism 28 downwardly therethrough to be engaged bythe actuator 29 in the installed arrangement of the can, as shown in FIG. 4. Leaf spring 37 is preferably formed of a strong material, such as spring steel, to provide a substantial downward force against the top end 43 of can 24 to maintain the can accurately in position in the receptacle 41 for accurate relationship with the actuator 29. Further, leaf spring 37 is provided with a pair of downturned tabs 44 engaging opposite sides of top end 43 of can 24 to preclude inserting spray can 24 beyond the normal position.

Thus, the invention comprehends the provision in the refuse compactor 10 of a rigid frame 1 1, ram means 16, a refuse compacting receptacle in the form of a drawer 15 in which refuse may be compacted by the ram means, means for spraying sanitizing fluid into the drawer to sanitize refuse therein comprising an aerosol can 24, and an improved means for mounting the ram, the drawer and the spray can on the frame for coordinated positioning thereof in the compactor. A first mounting means is provided for reciprocatively carrying the ram 16 in the form of corner structures 17 of the frame, a second mounting means is provided for reciprocatively carrying the drawer in the. form of a roller guide structure 14, and a third mounting means is provided for mounting the aerosol can 24 removably on the frame in the form of a structure carried on the forward wall 19 and supporting the aerosol can actuating structure subjacent the can and in position to be actuated by a cam 36 carried by the drawer when the drawer is in an intermediate position. As the different mounting structures are provided on the frame, a coordinated base of reference for manufacturing is provided facilitating the accurate positioning of these elements on to the other and effectively minimizing cost while yet providing an improved accurate relationship of these elements for the improved functioning of the compactor. The front wall of the cabinet is provided with a suitable opening 23 for facilitating installation and removal of the aerosol cans as required. Such installation is readily effected by virtue of the spring biased retention of the cans effected by the cooperating action of the receiver 26 and the spring element 37 carried by the mounting plate of the spray device fixed to the front Wall 19 of the cabinet. In the event of malfunctioning of the spray device, the spray can may be urged upwardly against the biasing action of spring 37 to prevent damage to the actuating mechanism or mounting means while yet the mounting means effectively positions the aerosol can 24 accurately in position to be operated by the actuator 29. 1

Spring 37 is arranged to provide a forward biasing action which together with tabs 44 in cooperation with the forwardly open receptacle 26, as shown in FIG. 4, bias the can forwardly and preclude inadvertent movement thereof rearwardly into thepath of the ram 16 which moves directly behind the can, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, by mounting the spray can support means directly on the frame, the support means may be diposed closely adjacent the path of travel of the ram which also is accurately related to the frame by virtue of the guiding of the ram on the corner structures 17.

Mounting plate assembly 20 may be formed of relatively sturdy material, such as sheet steel, with turned portions thereof reinforced at the comers as by tack welding so as to maintain the accurate disposition of the spray can relative to the frame as carried thereon.

. The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a refuse compactor having a cabinet, a rigid frame within the cabinet, ram means, a receptacle in which refuse may be compacted by said ram means, means for spraying sanitizing fluid into said receptacle to sanitize refuse therein, the improvement comprising: means for mounting the ram means, receptacle, and spraying means on said frame for accurately coordinated relationship in the compactor including first mounting means on the frame for reciprocatively carrying the ram means; second mounting means on' the frame for reciprocatively carrying the receptacle for movement between a compacting position within the frame-to permit the ram means to compact refuse deposited in the receptacle and a loading position outwardly of the frame wherein the receptacle is accessible for deposit of refuse to be compacted therein, and third mounting means on the frame for positioning the spraying means in a preselected position adjacent the path of movement of the receptacle between said compacting and loading positions; and cooperating means on said receptacle and spraying means disposed to have engagement when the receptacle is at a preselected intermediate position in the movement thereof between said compacting and loading positions to effect a spraying operation.

2. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said cooperating means comprises cam means carried by the receptacle and an actuator mechanism including a cam follower defining a portion of said spraying means.

3. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said third mounting means comprises safety release means for 'yieldingly permitting said spraying means to move away from said receptacle means in the event of a jamming condition thereof.

4. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said third mounting means comprises spring holding means and associated locating receptacle means.

5. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said spraying means includes an aerosol spray can having an actuatable spray nozzle, said frame defines a front wall having an opening, said third mounting means comprises a mounting plate secured to said front wall, and means on said plate for removably accurately retaining the spray can thereon, and said cooperating means includes an actuator movably carried on said mounting plate and having an actuating portion adapted to engage said spray can nozzle for effecting a refuse spraying operation as the result of a preselected movement of said receptacle.

6. In arefuse compactor having a cabinet a rigid frame within said cabinet and means for spraying sanitizing fluid into refuse compacted therein, means for 7. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein said actuating means comprises a swing rod and said mounting plate is provided with a U-bracket for pivotally mounting said swing rod at longitudinally spaced positions.

8. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein the biasing means comprises a leaf spring disposed to bear against the aerosol can at the end opposite said one end of the can received in said receptacle.

9. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein said receptacle comprises a cup element formed of a resilient synthetic plastic. Y

10. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein said frame defines a wall having an opening therein and said mounting plate is secured to said wall at said opening, said can mounting means being carried by said mounting plate to permit installation of the can at said frame wall opening.

l 1. The refuse compactor of claim 10 wherein the biasing means comprises a leaf spring having a pair of turned down tabs disposed to bear against the aerosol can at the end opposite said one end of the can received in said receptacle, said turned down tabs engaging said end opposite when said can is properly located in said receptacle to preclude further movement of said can inwardly through said frame wall opening. 

1. In a refuse compactor having a cabinet, a rigid frame within the cabinet, ram means, a receptacle in which refuse may be compacted by said ram means, means for spraying sanitizing fluid into said receptacle to sanitize refuse therein, the improvement comprising: means for mounting the ram means, receptacle, and spraying means on said frame for accurately coordinated relationship in the compactor including first mounting means on the frame for reciprocatively carrying the ram means; second mounting means on the frame for reciprocatively carrying the receptacle for movement between a compacting position within the frame to permit the ram means to compact refuse deposited in the receptacle and a loading position outwardly of the frame wherein the receptacle is accessible for deposit of refuse to be compacted therein, and third mounting means on the frame for positioning the spraying means in a preselected position adjacent the path of movement of the receptacle between said compacting and loading positions; and cooperating means on said receptacle and spraying means disposed to have engagement when the receptacle is at a preselected intermediate position in the movement thereof between said compacting and loading positions to effect a spraying operation.
 2. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said cooperating means comprises cam means carried by the receptacle and an actuator mechanism including a cam follower defining a portion of said spraying means.
 3. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said third mounting means comprises safety release means for yieldingly permitting said spraying means to move away from said receptacle means in the event of a jamming condition thereof.
 4. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said third mounting means comprises spring holding means and associated locating receptacle means.
 5. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said spraying means includes an aerosol spray can having an actuatable spray nozzle, said frame defines a front wall having an opening, said third mounting means comprises a mounting plate secured to said front wall, and means on said plate for removably accurately retaining the spray can thereon, and said cooperating means includes an actuator movably carried on said mounting plate and having an actuating portion adapted to engage said spray can nozzle for effecting a refuse spraying operation as the result of a preselected movement of said receptacle.
 6. In a refuse compactor having a cabinet a rigid frame within said cabinet and means for spraying sanitizing fluid into refuse compacted therein, means for moUnting the spray means on the frame comprising: a mounting plate; means for mounting said plate on said frame; means for mounting an aerosol can of sanitizing fluid on said plate including a receptacle for receiving one end of the can and means for biasing the can into maintained reception in said receptacle; and actuating means carried by said plate and including means for actuating the aerosol spray mechanism of an aerosol can carried by said mounting means.
 7. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein said actuating means comprises a swing rod and said mounting plate is provided with a U-bracket for pivotally mounting said swing rod at longitudinally spaced positions.
 8. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein the biasing means comprises a leaf spring disposed to bear against the aerosol can at the end opposite said one end of the can received in said receptacle.
 9. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein said receptacle comprises a cup element formed of a resilient synthetic plastic.
 10. The refuse compactor structure of claim 6 wherein said frame defines a wall having an opening therein and said mounting plate is secured to said wall at said opening, said can mounting means being carried by said mounting plate to permit installation of the can at said frame wall opening.
 11. The refuse compactor of claim 10 wherein the biasing means comprises a leaf spring having a pair of turned down tabs disposed to bear against the aerosol can at the end opposite said one end of the can received in said receptacle, said turned down tabs engaging said end opposite when said can is properly located in said receptacle to preclude further movement of said can inwardly through said frame wall opening. 